THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE BOARD

Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd hysbyseb

Edition of 28 November 2002

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For the second time (?) in the winter timetable, a Class 47 and West Coast set worked  the 09:21 Holyhead - London as far as Crewe on 27 November, and Ian Bowland was on hand at Crewe to record the event (Heading Picture.)

There was no AC electric locomotive waiting to take over at Crewe but, eventually, 90 031 The Railway Children Partnership arrived from the diesel depot to attach to the rear of the train and leave on time.

Minutes later, 47 786 Roy Castle OBE left for Holyhead with the 10.21 from Birmingham.

66 512 arrived from Penmaenmawr with the daily ballast train. - 28 November

'Following some fairly radical changes at Virgin  ...  Voyagers to be paired up to work as 8 or 10 car sets and concentrated on specific routes. HSTs to be reformed as full sets and sufficient Mk2 coaches with up to 16 class 47's hired to work as loco and 9 or 10  coaches. The timetables to be re-cast to allow for less frequent but longer trains Two class 47/8s which I are with First Great Western at the moment (47 816 and 47 830) have been assigned a trip to EWS Toton depot for fitting with TPWS and painting in unbranded Virgin livery.'

The above is typical of several messages which have come our way in the last few days, hinting that there will be a public announcement on 29 November about the future status of Virgin ... 'blood on the carpet' and all that ...  Branson is selling Stageoach another 2% of Virgin Trains to give them 51% and control of the company ... is it all true? Well, thanks to everyone who's written: let's sit back and watch... - 28 November

Talks have reportedly been held between the ASLF union and FNW management regarding the proposed strikes on the two weekends before Christmas; we'll bring you the result (if any) as soon as we hear it.

It does now look as though the loco-hauled Birmingham diagram will cease soon, as the locomotive contract with EWS expires on 3 December, but there hopes of a return after Christmas, and even a third diagram too. Watch this space! - 27 November

An old 'coastliner' returned to Crewe over the weekend of 23/24 November for a visit to the International Electric Maintenance Depot, probably for the wheel lathe. On 26 November it was parked on the diesel depot in the company of "Royal" 47 798 Prince William. (Ian Bowland)

Times for the Class 40 charter and associated workings  - thanks to 'YellowcakeUF6'

Friday 29  November
0Z40 (light engine) 1112 Castleton - Crewe Holding Sidings.Vitriol works pass 1127,Manchester Vic pass 1138, Astley pass 1155, Earlestown pass 1207, Warrington BQ pass 1213,Weaver Jct 122 to 1235, Winsford SB pass 1245,Crewe HS 1314.

Saturday 30 November
1Z45 0700 Crewe - Holyhead. Basford Hall Jct pass 0707,Madeley pass 0713,Stafford pass 0735, Bushbury Jct pass 0749,Bescot Stadium pass 0757,Aston pass 0807, Birmingham NS 0815 - 0841 (platform No.3). Soho South Jct pass 0845,Soho East Jct pass 0846,Perry Bar North Jct pass 0852, Bescot Stadium pass 0857, Bushbury Jct 0913 - 0923 (Regulate to Follow 1S61 Bristol - Glasgow). Stafford 0937 - 0940 (Platform No.5) Madeley pass 1000, Basford Hall Jct pass 1008, Crewe 1004 - 1042 (Platform No.11). Beeston Castle & Tarporley pass 1057, Chester 1109 - 1111 (Platform  No.3), Holywell Jct pass 1130, Rhyl pass 1142, Llandudno Jct 1201 - 1252 (Platform No.4). Bangor pass 1312,Gaerwen Jct pass 1322, Holyhead arrival 1346 hrs.

Loco then shunts stock to Carriage Sidings for servicing before returning with : -

1Z40 1603 Holyhead - Crewe.Gaerwen Jct pass 1625,Bangor pass 1635,Llandudno jct pass 1702, Rhyl pass 1724, Holywell Jct pass 1740,Chester 1802 - 1805 (Platform No.4),Helsby Jct 1815,Warrington BQ  pass1829, Astley pass 1846, Manchester Vic pass 1908 (Runs via Platfrom No.4,the significance being  that it can "attack" Miles Platting Bank at 40 MPH.If routed via any other platform at Victoria it would have to slow to 25 MPH to use the points at the former Victoria East Jct before it tackled the bank). Miles Platting pass 1914, Ashton Moss North Jct pass 1921, Denton Jct pass 1928, Heaton Norris Jct pass 1938, Stockport pass 1940, Cheadle Hulme pass 1945, Wilmslow pass 1950, Sandbach pass 2003, Crewe 2019 - 2025 (Platform No.5).Basford Hall Jct pass 2032,Stafford 2056 - 2059 (Platfrom No.4),Bushbury Jct pass 2115, Bescot Stadium pass2125,Perry Bar North Jct pass 2135,Perry Bar West Jct pass 2136,Soho South Jct pass 2147, Birmingham NS 2153 - 2200 (Platform No.2), Aston Pass 2208,Bascot Stadium pass 2221,Stafford pass 2253,Crewe  arrival 2327 hrs.

Sunday 1 December
0Z40 (light engine) 1523 Crewe CS - Castleton.Sandbach pass 1535, Wilmslow pass 1551, Stockport 1601, Denton Jct 1613, Ashton Moss North Jct pass 1618, Philips Park West Jct 1630, Brewery Jct pass 1634, Vitriol Works pass 1640, Castleton arrival 1701 hrs.

Note, this train is totally sold out. Pictures welcome .. the extra cameras out on the coast shouldn't forget to take the opportunity of snapping the EWS 47, as potentially there may be a few weeks or more without the same chance again.  Loco-hauled (hopefully) 1D67 10:21 Birmingham - Holyhead, booked to call at Llandudno Junction 12:29, should be overtaking the 40 there on its outward journey - so a ride behind the 47 and a photo of the two together is feasible, as may also be possible at Holyhead. - 27 November

Crewe 26 November - with Ian Bowland

Prototype class 175/1 number 175 101, in short formation, was out and about as it entered Crewe from the Manchester line.  It passed through the station and later returned to run through platform 12 to gain access to the Chester line.  The unit contained staff and instrumentation and all the seats were covered.

Still loco hauled as predicted by Mystic Charlie, the 10.21 FNW Birmingham-Holyhead leaving Crewe with 47 734 Crewe Diesel Depot in charge. Interestingly, the Holyhead-London HST and the Birmingham-Holyhead 47 both appear to be timed at 11.30 for entering and leaving Crewe respectively.  The first arrival, which today was the FNW train, seems to be given platform 11 the other being put into platform 12. - 26 November

The 1D70 22:26 Crewe-Holyhead prepares to leave Crewe with 47 734 Crewe Diesel Depot at the head, Sunday 24 November. See story below.

Mystic Charlie gets it right ... but in unforeseen circumstances

Our prediction that 'the locos will return' was not actually meant to come true the following day, but hey, who's complaining? Kevin Melia takes up the story:

'On Friday 22 November 47 773 The Queen Mother replaced 47 790 Saint David / Dewi Sant on Crewe in the afternoon going up to perform the 17:19 Manchester-Holyhead (the 'club' trains indeed being First North Western's only hauled trains on Thursday and Friday. But then, instead of returning 1K82 20:33 Holyhead-Crewe (the new Friday-only working), to the dismay of many it sat spare at Holyhead. In rolled 'that 2 car 158' on 1D82 (bet that was fun for the standing commuters), and that returned on the 20:33 Crewe service.

'This raised suspicions, and sure enough the shock 'good news' came through that 47 773 and stock was 1G95 Holyhead-Birmingham on Saturday morning 23 November. It did all four trains in the diagram, with no problems other than losing the path via Bescot after the afternoon Virgin HST delayed it between Holyhead and Crewe, followed by rioting Aston Villa fans causing more delays in the Midlands! On Sunday 24 November I was surprised to learn 1K64 16:55 Holyhead-Crewe was hauled, which then returned with 47 773 on the booked 1D67 20:11 Crewe-Holyhead. It was thought that 1D70 22:26 Crewe-Holyhead wouldn't be hauled and we'd see a return to 'club trains' only on weekdays. But in the event 47 734 Crewe Diesel Depot and the second First Great Western liveried set did work 1D70 on the evening [see picture above], so there were two ivory and green sets out for the first time.'

47 773 The Queen Mother at Crewe with the 11:18 to Holyhead, 24 November, just after the weather brightened. (Picture by Dave36.)

The new Great Breaks brochure for 2003 is now available. Produced in a handy pocket size, it's bursting with ideas of activities, myths and legends, festivals and special breaks, plus it contains money off vouchers for selected visitor attractions. To obtain your free copy, just drop an email to croeso@nwt.co.uk with your name and address. - 25 November

Robert Stephenson, chief engineer of the Chester and Holyhead line - 'If only I'd had a silly name and worn a big hat, I too could have been famous.'

Thanks to all who entered our little Children in Need draw - the lucky winner of the Class 40 picture is...

DAVID BOOTH

who will be receiving his prize very soon. If you would like to buy a copy of the limited edition print, published by our contributor Steve Morris, see this information. - 24 November

I travelled on the 10:22 from Bangor to Crewe to observe the 'Drags' (diesel hauled electric train due to engineering diversions) which should be the last series to be 47s. In the picture, 175 114 leads 175 116 into Crewe with the 13:24 from Holyhead on 24 November. The timetable shows it divides at Chester for Manchester. It then forms the 15:54 to Holyhead. Back at Bangor  I saw 47 773 on the 16:55 Holyhead - Crewe. - 24 November

The Pathfinder Tours website now has some timings for the (sold out) charter train to be hauled by Class 40 D345 on Saturday 30 November. Crewe 07:00, Birmingham 08:40, Stafford 09:40, Crewe 10.40,  Holyhead  arr 13:46 dep 16:03. Then back via Chester, Warrington, Manchester Victoria, Ashton  Moss, Denton and Stockport to Crewe 20:19, Birmingham 21:53and back to Crewe 23:27.

The site indicates a provisional date on 5 April 2003 for a trip from the Midlands and Crewe to run to Newcastle using D345. Also steam trip from  North Wales and  Cheshire stations to Settle / Carlisle on 12th April again the keyword is provisional. - 24 November

Wales and Borders issued the following  on 19 November: 'Following a ballot of train drivers by the train drivers' union, ASLEF, Managing Director of Wales & Borders Trains, Chris Gibb, said: “We have today been advised by the ASLEF  Executive Committee that they have considered the results of the ballot for strike action. The union has informed us that they will not be taking any industrial action until after 13 December to allow us more time to consider proposals recently put to us by ASLEF.
We believe that we have offered a credible package based on detailed discussions with union officials. If a settlement
cannot be reached, we have been informed that two 48-hour strikes are planned, with the first one taking place on 14 and 15 December and a further stoppage will take place 21 and 22 December. The disruption that industrial action would cause for our
customers would be deeply regrettable and we will endeavour to reach a settlement."'

The strike dates given are the same as those planned for First North Western. At present various cancellations are in force on W & B due to the cessation of rest-day working: see the W & B website for details. - 24 November

Andy Sharpe writes: 'Here is a couple of shots of 60 009Union of South Africa at Golborne on 23 November. It was about half an hour late, running fast to recover time. Pity about the overcast conditions, as it was sunny when the train was due. - 24 November

North West Rail Passengers Committee meeting

The Rail Passengers Committee North Western England is holding a public meeting in Chester on Thursday 12 December 2002.
It is being held at the Moat House Hotel, Trinity Street, Chester and commences at 10:15. The free bus from the railway station stops in Frodsham Street, about five mins walk from Trinity Street.  The meeting will probably finish 15:30-16:00.

The meeting will focus on a number of themed topics, with speakers from across the industry.  Passenger critical issues under the spotlight are:

Class 175 Coradia trains update
Improving station standards

First North Western will provide an update on the performance and availability of the Class 175 Coradia trains which were introduced in 2001.These new trains have performed below expectation and the train operators will spell out the measures they are taking to address these problems. Speakers from the RPC, Cheshire County Council and Merseytravel will present
some strategies for improving the quality of the region's railway stations. Representatives of the train operating companies, Railtrack, the Strategic Rail Authority and British Transport Police will also be present and there will be an opportunity for members of the public to take part in the discussion and debate.

"Members of the public who have concerns, questions or points about these topics are especially encouraged to attend this meeting."

Reports for the Notice Board will be very welcome! - 24 November

Information from an "informed source" :

Following rumours that the SRA will now not be granting permission for class 101 to remain in use after 31.12.02 FNW have recently been conducting trials with an alternative solution for the Rose Hill Marple services. The latest proposal involves hiring a spare MK3 trailer car from Virgin along with a class 47 from EWS to operate these services from January next year. Several trials have recently taken place to confirm the suitability of this arrangement. Not surprisingly, passenger reaction has been good although a number of them needed reassurance that the train was infact the one they wanted to catch. Some reports suggest that several people decided not to board but wait for the "normal train" to turn up just in case !

Here is a view of 47 757 on such a working arriving at platform 1 Manchester Piccadilly from Rose Hill at 13.40 on 21/11/02, alongside a "normal train" in the shape of 101 676 waiting to depart for Marple from platform 2. - 24 November

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